Trump's power grab raises authoritarian fears: The Guardian

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: The Guardian
22 Mar 2025 22:22

Since returning to power, Trump has pardoned January 6 rioters, filled federal posts with loyalists, and purged Justice Department officials.

Listen

President Donald Trump walks to speak with reporters before leaving the White House, Friday, March 21, 2025, in Washington, en route to New Jersey. (AP)

The Guardian on Saturday published an extensive report warning that the United States may be edging toward authoritarianism under President Donald Trump, whose return to office has been marked by increasingly aggressive efforts to consolidate power, challenge judicial authority, and erode democratic norms.

During a recent appearance at the Department of Justice, Trump paused to admire his portrait before launching into a grievance-filled speech accusing the media of "totally illegal" activity—without offering evidence. "I just hope you can all watch for it," he told department staff, "but it's totally illegal."

Tara Setmayer, a former Republican aide turned critic, warned: "These are flashing red lights here. We are approaching Defcon 1 for our democracy... the normalization of it" is the greatest danger.

Power test

Since returning to power, Trump has pardoned January 6 rioters, filled federal posts with loyalists, and purged Justice Department officials. He has also posted authoritarian imagery on social media, including a crown-clad portrait captioned "Long live the king," and quoted Napoleon: "He who saves his country does not violate any law."

His latest clash with the judiciary followed a federal ruling blocking the deportation of 250 Venezuelan migrants under the Alien Enemies Act. Trump lashed out at the judge, calling him "crooked" and a "radical left lunatic," prompting a rare public rebuke from Chief Justice John Roberts: "Impeachment is not an appropriate response to disagreement concerning a judicial decision."

In a Fox News interview, Trump denied defying the order but said: "We have very bad judges… I think at a certain point, you have to start looking at what do you do when you have a rogue judge?"

David Frum, a former speechwriter for George W. Bush, argued that Trump is testing the system's limits. "Almost every major Trump action is intentionally illegal... Testing hour is here."

Civil liberties groups have raised alarms over the detentions of immigrants, academics, and protesters. Columbia student Mahmoud Khalil, a legal US resident, is facing deportation for participating in pro-Palestinian demonstrations. "In dictatorships, they call this practice ‘being disappeared,'" said Senator Chris Murphy.

Authoritarianism creeps

Trump's collaboration with tech magnates like Elon Musk, whose "Department of Government Efficiency" has gutted agencies, is also under scrutiny. Musk's platform X amplifies pro-Trump content, while federal broadcasters like PBS and NPR face government investigations.

Internationally, Trump has distanced the US from NATO allies, supported Russia in Ukraine negotiations, and insulted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker warned: "Donald Trump admires Orban and I believe he and his team... are replicating that."

Despite mounting concerns, Trump's approval rating remains at 47%. Setmayer added: "That should scare the hell out of every American who understands... the rule of law."

Democrats, meanwhile, are facing criticism for failing to mount strong opposition. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer's recent support for a Republican budget bill has sparked backlash. Meagan Hatcher-Mays of United for Democracy said, "You can't just be not Donald Trump… that is not going to win them any seats in 2026."